Cutting machine



June 10, 1952 w. R. SPILLER ETAL 2,599,591

CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS 2 TTORNEYS June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLER Erm.

CUTTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2v ,'"led March 13, 1946 Ill HJ.

Ill lflvl NVENT BY ATToRNl-:YS

June 10, 1952 2 w. R. sPlLLER Erm. 2,599,591

CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLR Erm.

CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLER ErAL CUTTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 13, 1946 NVENTORS TToRNEY s June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLER ETAL CUTTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6V Filed March 13, 1946 3N @mv www New avm.

/s FU INVENTORS y 2% 7&7 a] fw@ ATTORNEYS June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLER ETAL CUTTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Shea?l 7 Filed March 13, 1946 June 10, 1952 w. R. sPlLLER l-:rAL 2,599,591

CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 u 25 h5 405 l 403 406 362, 4,07 47] 4,73 330 Ill 350 40 w ggg '47o 47#- a 462 459 45'/ El @la ---f-ME-:Eg lfi@ 55 45" m 473 4 4/0 2o 423 306 E311 2] 3/0 -f-I I l.l-'=;. I

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CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 1s, 194e 9 sheets-sheet 9 0 go 4/0 t;

422 l /o 41a INVENTORS L 248 BY WV/,aff wwwa 275 200 2' #94M 260 6l ATTORNEYS Patented June 10, 1952 CUTTING MACHINE William R. Spiller and Frederick Yarwig,

Dayton, Ohio, assignors to, Harris-Serboldylotter Company, .Qleveland Ohio, a corporation of Application March 13, 1946, Serial No. 654,157

This invention relates to cutting V,machilies and .more particularly to vmachines, for cutting paper and like material- AIit is one of the o bieots of this .invention to provide a cutting machine in which a setting :knife is mounted for reoiorooating trerel, with respect Yto e work table and arranged to b .e actuated by a simple arrangement ot lieke and levers so o ooneeted to the knife bar and operating in the Plane of movement of .the lseie t the lf@ is ,Substltiaflly le Q lter. @H1512 .GWS @pentes With elled Wea? @and lQO-Qns? orv oler and Provides e more eeourete out i It is also an obieot to ,Provides eutter in which imiteA is reoiorooeteo by meohenieelwon- 'oeotioos and iooorooretoe e' clamp. for' the' wok material which is actuated by'a hydraulic control giving a rapid and smooth clamping act'on without imposing excessive loads upOn'the Asc x'iiijc'e of power- It is a further object to provide hydraulic clamping mechanism for a cutter infwhich a relatively small power source is utilized and .which incorporates such controls that the clamp may be moved smoothly and `'rapidly to andfrom its the operator.

I t is a further object to provide an hydraulic control system for the actuation of Suche `clamp .which provides for the development of both high 4rates of movement of the clamp, and also'the development of high clamping pressures, with,- out however requiring the use of a power'source of large size.

AIt is4 also anobject to provide snch anhyd-raulic system for a clamp in a cutting machine' which makes possible the rapid travel fof-the. clamplboth in lowering and in raising f1fo'nfifth`e clamping position, as well as the development of high v'clamping pressures,Y utilizing only a source of fluid pressure of relatively small oaiz'aavcityiVA It is enfedditional obieot to provide .e Power operated olemp which be attuate@ .ieeeordioeted relation. with the knife or separately therefrom and in which the etent and liteotioo of movement of the clamp and the .nressnre which it develops when in oonteot the work are at all times predetermined on@ linger the direct eontrolof the operatore clamping position underaccnrate control zof 2 cutting operation, such pressure being maintained until after the knife Vhas ,Completed the eotttnestfokeithe Clamp then releasing smoothly and returning rapidly to its fully raised position.

115. S .3159 .2in Objt t@ Pmi/.i918 Such a Cutting lellfm having .a back gage Operating in C9 ordinated and interlocking relation with the knife and clamp for receiving the Work'material and advancing it properly toward the cutting position? It isa further object to provide a single hydraulic system for actuating both .the back gage and the clamp in properly interlocked and co'- odinated relation to each other.

It is a'still further object to provide for direct control by the operator of the movement of the back gage and to properly stop its travel at either limit of its movement or at a predetermined selected intermediate point on its backward travel.

Other objectsand advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings. and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View from the front of a cutting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2. is a front elevational View of the machine in skeleton form showing the operating mechanism for actuating the knife and the 91eme:

3 and .4 are side elevational views from theflefft and right hand sides respectively of the meehinefi 5 is a perspective View from the left hand side of the machine with .certain of the parts (beine lorolenewey: Fig. 6 is a broken perspective view from the right hand side of the machine with certain parts being broken away;

Fig. -7 a view in'vertical section through the clutch and brake mechanism for driving the mane? Fig. is anl elevational View in schematic arrangement showing the mechanism for operating theolemp; W

Fia 9 ist Abroken elan View showing the drive mechanism withdrawn from the frame of the machine; l f

Fig. 1470 is a par-tialiront elevational View showing vthe hand control for initiating the machine operation; t A' l Fie. Allis. a vertical seotional View through the control-m hanism for starting the operation 4of the machine;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism which provides for non-repeat operation;

Fig. 13 is a plan view looking down upon the central portion of the machine with certain parts of the mechanism being broken away to show the control for the back gage;

Fig. 14 is a View in side elevation of the table and back gage operating mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a detail view showing the mechanism for control of the back gage movement in the position of adjustment corresponding to forward movement;

Figs. 16 and 17 are views of the same mechanism in the latched or rearward position, and in the release position, respectively;

Fig. 18 is a schematic lay-out showing the hydraulic system;

Figs. 19 and 20 are detail views showing two alternative positions of the pilot valve;

Fig. 21 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the directional control valve;

Fig. 22 Ais a sectional view on an enlarged scale through the valve which controls the speed of Adescent of the clamp;

Fig. 23 is a view in rear elevation of the fluid pressure control mechanism and the interlocking arrangement thereof; Y

Fig. 24 is a view in perspective of a detail of the mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view on the line 25-25 of Fig. 23 further showing the arrangement of the interlocking mechanism;

Fig. 26 is a detail view showing the latch and the latch lock for retaining the clamp in its upper raised position; y

Fig. 27 is a front elevation view of the mechanism for interlocking the hand control with the foot operating mechanism;

Fig. 28 is a view on an enlarged scale of a detail section showing Fig. 27 which provides for correlating the action of the back gage with the remainder of the mechanism;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the assembled interlocking mechanism; and

Fig. 30 is a wiring diagram of the electrical controls used in the invention.-

Construction of cutting mechanism Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention the machine comprises a base I0 having integral side frame members I2 and I4 respectively, these frame members being preferably formed as castings and suitably webbed as indicated to provide both additional strength and convenient surfaces for mounting various loperating parts. A work table 25 is supported on the vframe so formed, such table overhanging the frame at the forward or operators side and providing a suitable support for receiving the work material. Y

The frame extends rearwardly and is supported at its end by a bracket 22 whichrests upon adjustable pedestal feet 23, 24 so that the table 'can be properly supported and maintained in a level position. Side gage plates 25 are secured to the rearward portion of the table serving as lateral guides within which the work material is received.

Upright frame members 30, 32 are secured at either side of the table and immediately above the lower frames I2 and I4 respectively, the upper frames being secured in place by means of bolts such as shown at 33. Front guides 34, 35,A are secured in spaced relation to frame members 30, 32 respectively, forming guide channels therebetween for guiding and directing the movement of 4 the knife bar 40. A tie-piece 36 joins the guide members at their upper ends and extends across the entire width of the machine providing additional strength and rigidity.

The knife bar has pads or guide surfaces 4D formed thereon at either end which travel in the spaced guides formed between members 30 and 34 at one side and members 32 and 35 at the other side. The knife bar has a bevel at its lower side as shown at 4I within which is secured the cutting knife 42 by means of a series of bolts 43 recessed into the knife bar.

In accordance with the present invention the mechanism for 4actuating the knife is such that the forces are developed and applied substantially within the plane of movement of the knife by means of a simple arrangement of links and levers, giving a highly satisfactory knife movement and at the same time avoiding lateral thrust on the knife or the knife bar which would interfere with uniformity of cutting or result in unnecessary or excessive wear.

For this purpose downwardlyextending arms 46, 41 are formed-at opposite ends of the knife bar, these arms being apertured to receive pins 48, 49 therein, the pins as shown being mounted adjacent and approximately in the plane of the lower edge of the knife. The connections for the opposite ends of the knife are different because va double shear operation is desired, that is, it is desired to have the knife move downwardly and laterally during the cutting stroke, but with the opposite ends of the knife having a different initialelevation above the cutting table so that one end moves downwardly to a greater extent than the other end, the knife at the bottom of its Astroke standing with its edge parallel with the work table and in proper contact with the usual cutting stick. This causes the knife to move across the work and with a slicing action which gives 'highly desirable cutting results.

This mechanism comprises a link 50 at the left hand side having pivotal engagement with pin 48. The Vlink has an adjustable threaded connection 5I by means of which its effective length can be changed, and at its lower end is pivotally connected by means of pin 52 to one arm of a threearm bell crank lever 53 which is pivotally mounted in the frame I2 for rotation aboutthe axis of pin 54. A suitable projection at the rear side face of the knife bar travels in the guideway 55.

The opposite end of the knife bar is connected by means of link 60 to pin 49, such link having an adjustablerthreaded connection 6I by -means of which its effective length can be varied. AAt its lower end link'll is secured by pin 62 to one arm 63 of a two-arm bell crank pivotally supported in frame member I4 by means of pin 65. A second arm: 66 of thethree-arm bell crank receives a pin 61 which/secures a cross bar 68 in place thereon, such bar having a pin connected as shown at 69 with the lower arm 'I0 of the twoarm-bell crank. f Thus as shown in Fig. 2 it will be evident that the two bell cranks are caused to swing in unison through the cross bar 68 which is rsubject to tension during the working stroke, each bell crank causing the actuation of a corresponding end of theknife bar through a different path of movement by providing for the bringing of its associated end of the Vbar intoa level horizontal position at the limit of its down stroke of movement. v

It will be evident that this simple arrangement of links and bell cranks provides for transmitting and applying the operating forces for actuating the knife.` entirelyin a plane, that is, substantially the vertica'l 1plane jinfwhich the knife ,itself travels. *Ihuszthe entire-mechanism causes the developmentof4 proper actuating forces in a simple and direct -Way to give a double shear action while reducing -the lateral thrust von the knife bar to a minimum.. 'I'hisnot only provides. for more accurate operation of the knife bar but substantially reduces'wear Vupon the pads and the cooperating guiding surfaces in the Vstationary frame. It will further be understood that because the pull from v.the links is .applied substantially 'in the horizontal .plane of thel cutting .edge of .the knife, there is a further reduction in lateral thrust` and this construction thus additionally :contributes lto proper operating conditions.

'The operation of :the knife bar is effected by means of .La yconnecting rod .75 secured by means of pin 'I6 -to thethird .arm 'H of the. three-arm bellv crank lever. The connecting rod is driven from. a :crank pin 80 carried on crank plate 8| suitably mounted in the lcwerframe of the ma.- chine. The drive mechanism is shown in .plan insFig. 9,4 where the main `shaft v82 is shown as rotatably supporting the crank plate 8|.

The .drive .is developed by means of a gear 84 secured toshaft 82 -and operating from .a pinion A85 .which is :secured to a large gear whee1.86., thisygear` assembly being. loosely mounted on astationary shaft k-8"|. Gear wheel 86 is driven'from a pinion 88 mounted on a .driven shaft .'90, such shaft being rotatably supported in the webs of the side lframel member I2.

y'Power isfsuppliedfrom adrive motor 84 located at :the rearofvthe machine Vand for convenience supported Afromthe rearwardly extending end of the -xed :shaft :81. 'The vmotor has a drive pulley .85 :over vwhich operate a plurality of v-.ibelts 96 which frictionally engage the outer circumference of va `flywheel 81, transmitting driving torque thereto. vFlywheel 91 is carried on shaft 98 which .thus :serves as a drive shaft, being coaxial with .but spaced'from the-drivenshaft 80 .Afclutchzand brake mechanism is Vprovided 'for controlling the interconnection of the driveand `driven shafts, this mechanism being .shown in Fig. 7. Thus the clutch isshown at ||l|l compris- `ingsone-ior'more clutchdisks rotatable with drive shaft *98. Iand Vat least `one disk `Asecured to vshaft 180. These disks are normally spaced lfrom each .other and lare broughtintodriving relation with .eachother lbymeans of-a sliding vcollar |02. A brake |05 also of the dry disk .type has one set of .platesflxedfto'theframe l2 of .the.machine, and a movable plate xed .to shaft 90. In vresponse tothe-'operation of'the clutch collar |02 in the opposite direction these disks Aare'engaged with .each to .brake the .rotation of the shaft. Preferably .the clutch and `the brake are .similar in :construction and aresuch that movement of `the sliding .clutch collar .with either one causes the .coupling of that portion thereof with the shaft 90,;providing'in theone case for the clutching of vthe drive shaft 98 vthereto-to rotate shaft-Stand inthe othercase'for the coupling of the brake thereto to stop the `rotation thereof. Movement of 'the clutch-collar |02 is effected by means of ,lever |06 pivotally ysupported at |01 in the frame and Voperatedbymeans of link |08 from the arm |09 of 'operating control handle A||0 which is mounted ,for rotation about shaft carried on thefront of .theframe `in suchv position that Vthe l handlels readily available for convenient operation.

`From v:the above.r it Willa-be.. ey-identi thatgthefmtire .operating mechanism .is mounted ina pact `and .convenient;1ocation,.and that :the recip-A rocatingdrive for actuating theaknife bar isi-,also located substantially inthe vertical plane of the knife movementsothatk again there is substan; -tiallyno application of lateralforces to produce objectionable ,wear or lackof uniformity in the cuttingA operation -of the knife.

.Referring to Figs; l0 and 1-,1 means Iaratreprovided Yfor preventing accidentalv operation of the start handle I0 and requiringthatthe same bedennitely moved to one side as a preliminary condition to the .operation of the machine. vFor this .purpose the handle is .carried on slidable blocks lI |L2 which are -keyed to vand slidable axially on shaft |f|| a spring I3 acting against. abutment H4 providing; for normally moving the handleto the Vleft ask shown in Eig. v10. In this .position lblock ||6 yonthe llower sidebf the handle Ais in interfering position-with. a .pin ||1 -xed vin .a support Y'H8 such that dir-ect downward movement of .the handlesprevented .by interference. In order to effect such downward- `movement it is necessary as a preliminary step tornove the handle to the right to a clearance position and since this'requires a definite Aact on the part of the operator. a` safety'factor thusintroduced. 1 Y

Normally the downward-swinging movement of .handle |.f|01.ca use s a corresponding .movement through the action ofan interlocking elemenbl-z of an interlocking plate .lf2-l which is` Aslidably mounted in the frame member lUl of the .base and Whichembodies-.a guidepin |22 vand an operating `pin |23. The Aplate 1| 2| in the inoperative .posi- .tion stands .-in Va notched-out portion -|25 of gthe crank iplate 8| .thereby preventing eaccidental p-re- `verse or dropping `movement of the `'imite when ythe machine is in the stationary position.

-auxiliaryrelease mechanism |26 is provided .for

disconnecting the. direct control between :handle |0 and the interlocking plate |,2| inthe-event-.of the necessity arising for such independent opera.- tionf- The construction and operationofthisirelease mechanismis described'more fully in. Patent 2,350,540 assigned to the .same assignee as this application. Y

.In order to assure.non-repeat'operationand to disconnect the ydrive at the Iend of i a ,stroke ,of operation, a cam |28 is provided on the `inner face of the gear Wheel 84 .and in isuch angular position that `as thestroke is substantially completed, this cam will engage the beveled face of pin |23, moving thev same fromthe positionshown in dotted linesinFig. v21 to .the .full line .position thereof, .with a corresponding return of .the op- .erating handle ||0 from its lowered operating position to .its raised Ainoperative position, .in .which latter position the clutch is disconnected .and the brake vapplied torstop the machine :and

hold the same inthe voperative position.

Construction of clamp mechanism tion of the clamp vis produced by means of downwardly-extending arms 5| |52 to .the lower ends of which-arepivotally secured links 53, 54. `Pins 55, |56 secure theflinks to vthearxnsi of bell 1crank leversll, |58, respectively. Lever |51 is p'i-votally supported on the forward end ofstationary shaft 81 while lever |58 is pivotally mounted on pin |50 suitably supported in the side iframe |4.

Atie bar |60 secures the opposite ends of the bell cranks for corresponding movement, and power is'applied through a link .|62 pivotally attached at |63 to bell crank |58. A hydraulic cylinder |65 having a movable piston |06 therein is pivotally attached to the linkY |62 by means of pin |61. Through this mechanism actuating power is available to effect the power application of the clampto hold the same in contact with the work material with a predetermined force, and likewise power is available for raising the clamp to its elevated positionv above the work material von the table.- Also the mechanism providedfor developing and applying the Ypower for actuating the clamp -is located Abeneath the work table and substantially in the vertical plane of travel of the clamp so that the mechanism provides for reciprocating travel of the clamp with substantially reduced lateralforcesand thus greater accuracy without disturbance of the work, and reduced wear.

Construction of bachi gage Referring now to Figs. Y6, 13 and 14J the back gage is shown at 200, being preferably formed in separate sections vincluding a main or central section and side sections 20| and 202 which are separately secured thereto by means of bolts203, 204 kwhich make possible the forward or rearward relative positioning of each two adjacent sections.v As shown in Fig. 13 -all three sections are adjusted for the same front alignment, and will ybe considered to function as a unit throughout the remaining description herein.v Suitable index marks 205, 206 provide a Ascale showing the amount of oisetwhere suohadjustment'is desired. The front face of theY back gage is formedY with lingers 201 whichfare spaced to interfit'with 'fingers 208 at the rear of the clamp The work table 20V has a central longitudinally extending slot 2|0 through which a portion 2|| of the back gage extends, such portion having a suitably threaded member 2|2 which engages a screw shaft 2|4 which extends substantially the full length of the table and'which is'rotated to effect the forward and reverse movement of the back gage assembly. I

VThe shaft 2|4 is driven by means of a pulley 2|6 over which there travels a V-beltl 2|1 driven from adrive pulley 2|8 which in turnis operated by means of a hydraulic motor 22.0 reversible aS to direction of rotation, and suitably suspended from the lower side of the work table 20 at the rearward end thereof as shown/in'fFig 6. YA hand wheel 222 is secured to the screwshaft 2 i4 on its front end and is thus accessible from the front of the machine for hand adjustment on the part of the operator when such is desired, the normal operation however being to operate the shaft through the fluidk motor 220 to secure accurate and rapid movement ofthe' back gage.

While a rapid travel of thebac'k gage is desired during the time Vthat avsubstantial movement thereof is being effected,` it is also ydesirable to provide for a slow or inching traverse o fv the back gage when it is approaching a. desired setting. The back gage carries an upright arm 225 which extends up substantially to the upper 'level of frame members 30, 32. The ends of a continuous flexible metal tape 226 are secured to arm 225, the tape traveling .around a pulley 221 on post 228 at the rear end of the table, and at the front end thereof around two spaced guide members or pulleys 220 and 230 which are supported from the tie-piece 30. Tape 226 carries graduations thereon which .in conjunction with a suitable fixed index 23| serve as a gage to determine the position ofadjustment of the back gage at all times. A substantial length of` the tape is thus visible at all times at the front of the machine. It will be evident from the arrangement as shown in Fig. 1 that the provision of the two spaced pulleys 229 and 230 with the index 23| located substantially centrally therebetween is advantageous in that vit facilitates observation by the operator of a desired graduation as it travels around one .or the other of the pulleys and well in advance vof its actually reaching the index point. Thus the operatoris forewarned of the approach of the desired graduation and has a proper opportunity to control the travel of the back gage, slowing it down so that ity will move accurately up to the desired setting where it can be stopped.

Control 'of the movement of the back gage is effected by means of a control valve 240 (Fig. 13) which is located immediately to the rear of hand wheel 222 and which has a valve stem 24| normally urged to a central or neutral position by means of suitable springs incorporated inthe valve mechanism. In this neutralposition no fluid is supplied to the back gage motor 220 and the back gage remains stationary.

Movement of the valve stem is effected by means of a hand lever 243 pivotally secured thereto and to a fixed point 244 of the support, the hand lever being movable rearwardly to displace the valve from neutral in the direction to supply fluid to the motor 220 :to cause the back gage, to travel toy therear and providing a corresponding forward `operation. of the back gage when drawn forwardly from its neutral position. It is desirable to provide for continuing reverse movement of the back Vgage when-the lever is thrown to the reverse position so that the operator can merely set the leverin thisposition and allow the back gage tov continue in motionv to its rearmost limiting position, orto such other position as may be determined upon :in advance, in'this way leaving him free to remove thework and to place a fresh supply 'thereof upon the cutting table. Normally howeverit is desired to have the back gage move forwardlyunder the direct manual control of the operator. f

To accomplish these functions the-lever 243 has a pin connection Yat 246 with a link.A 241 which in turn is pivotally connected with a'slide rod 248 extending throughout substantially theentire length of the table. The rod is supported atA an intermediate point by means of a bracket 249.

In order to positively prevent over-travel of the back gage when it reaches either Aend of its normal travel, mechanical 'limit stops 'are provided which move the lcontrol lever 243 lfrom either operativeposition to the neutralfposition when the operating limit of travel has been reached. Thus the base of the backgage below the table 20 carries a cam 25||vvhich lat the forward limit of travel of the .gageis adaptedto contact a roller 25| carried on a right angle arm v252 pivotally supporte'dvfrom bracket 249. Therod 248 is formed ,in Vtwo parts joined to'- gether bywa coupling 254 which 4is adapted `to engage a yoke 255 on arm 252. Examination of Fig. 13 will show that such cam produced movementof arm 252 will effect a travel of the rod 248 to the right which is in the proper direction to restore hand lever 243 fromits forward to its neutral position thereby-properly limiting the forward travel of the back gage.

The back gage base also carries a cam 256 which is4 adapted to engage roller 251 of lever 258 pivotally mounted at 259 to the rear of the table when the gage has reached the rearward limit of its travel. It will be evident that such engagement will result in the travel of rod 248 to the left, which likewise is in the direction to restore hand lever 243 from its backward toits neutral position, thus properly protecting the operation of the system in the event that the operatorhimself should fail to stop the operation of the motor atthe proper point.

In order to provide means for continuing the back gage in the reverse travel direction until a predetermined limiting position is reached, the means shown in Figs. to 17 is provided. As there shown the rod 248 has iixed thereto a cam member 260, a sleeve 26| being slidably mounted on the rod and normally urged against the cam 260 by means of a spring'262 acting againsta xed stop 263.

A latch member 265 is provided which is pivotally mounted at 266 on a fixed part of the mechanism, this latch having a latching tongue 261 adapted to be received in locking engagement between cam 260 and a forwardly projecting `end 268 formed on sleeve 26|. The latching member thus has a normal latched position in which the cam 268 is received and held against movement, but may also be withdrawn from latching position in response to the energization of a solenoid 210 which has an armature 21| connected to the latch and arranged to draw the'same upwardly against the action of spring 212 to thus release the latch when properly energized. Energization is controlled by means of a limit switch 215 which is adjustably mounted upon'one of the side members 25 ofthe table and arranged to be tripped when engaged by a portion of the back gage 200 when the latter in the course of its rearward travel passes beneath the limit switch.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows. When the control handle 243 is thrown to its forward position, rod 248 vtravels rearwardly or to the left and the sleeve 26| travels freely beneath the latch member 265, this being the condition illustrated in Fig. 15. Itwill thus beevident that the hand lever is not held in the Vforward position and upon release by the operator, will be returned to its neutral position by the centering springs.

When the hand lever is thrown to its backward position it moves the rod V248 to the right or forwardly and in this position latch member 265dropsinto latching position between the cam 260 and the tongue 268 on sleeve 26|, this being the position illustrated in Fig. 16. It will now be evident that release of the lever Will have no effect because the rod 248 is latched in its displaced position and the back gage motor will thus continue to operate in the direction to cause continued backward travel of the back gage.

As the back gage moves rearwardly to the position determined by the setting of the limit switch 215, that lcircuit will be closed and solenoid 218 energized, with the result that the latch member 265 will vbe raised and withdrawn from its holding position whereupon the rod 248 is free to return toits neutral position under the action of the biasing springs under the valve member 24|), or such` other centering ksprings as maybe used to supplement thesactionthereof. If limit switch 215 is not used, or in theevent that itis desired to stop the rearward travel` ofthe 'back gage by manualreturn of lever 243 toits neutral position, this is eiiected by movement `Aof the :rod 248 rearwardly or to theleft, either :by handor in response to the engagement of cam 256 :and roller'258 vat the .rearward limit of travel. In either vevent release of the latchis effected in the manner illustrated in Fig. 17, in which 4the inclined surface of cam. 260 vis kshown as raising the latch While tongue 261 holds 'the sleeve '26| against "movement, compressing the spring v.262. The parts are shown in the position just prior to full release, following which the rod isA free to be returned to its Vneutral position underthe action of the centering' springs and the movement of the back gage thereupon stops.

In order to provide for development of aproper control and operating :pressure -whenever ypower lactuation of the -back gage is.desired, rod 2248 carries a beveled cam 280 (Fig.14) Aat a suitable point, the cam having oppositely sloping faces forming a= narrow central raised portion Vwhich-in the neutral position of the control lever i243 stands opposite and in contact with-ra roller 282 of a micro-switch 283l suitably xed to the frame. It will Athusibeevident that upon .movement of the handlever in either y direction .away 'fromlits neutral position, the high point of cam 280 will move away lfrom roller 282, and vthereby allow the micro-switch to close its contacts. "This establishes a control in the hydraulic circuit-as willbe described vhereinafter which provides l-for developing 'full operating pressure vin the `flu-id system, the `pressure being correspondingly reduced upon return of the control lever to neutral position.

Hydraulic system As alreadydescrbed, the reciprocating knife is arranged to be mechanically actuated during its working stroke while the .clamp for clamping the work. material andthe back gage are operated by hydraulic motive power. This hasbeen found to produce a satisfactory 4and highly advantageous result since the desirableffeatures of the direct drive for the knife are attained whileat the same time securing the flexibility and ease of control ofthe hydraulic'system for operating both the clamp and the back gage.

In addition the proper operation of all elements of .the .machine is secured in correlated relation toV each other and without requiring the. application or y development at any time of excessive amounts of power. Thus a relatively small power sourceprovides adequately for the desiredoperations and both the initial costs and the operating losses are maintained relatively low.

Referring more .particularly to the operation of the clamp, it is desirable to provide for movement of the clamp either in conjunction with the normal stroke of the knife or separately therefrom under manual control, and to provide inthe latter case for application of the clamp with a proper holding force and release thereof with the return of the clamp to its Araisedposition while maintaining the clamp under continuous manual control. When actuated during the reciprocating stroke of the knife, it is important to provide for travel of the clamp in advance of the knife so that it will move quickly into its work engaging positionand establish'a proper 'clamping pressure Without shock'ordisplacementof the manual and 'under automatic control.

lll pile of work material'. 'It is' also important to provide for selecting the clamping pressure, and

to provide for variation of that pressure as desired tc provide for clamping different materials on the table.Y

In accordance with the present invention hydraulic mechanism is provided for affording a rapid and smooth travel of the clamp both under In kthe latter case in response to actuation of the hand control forinitiating a cutting cycle, the clamp is' 'firstA lowered rapidly into engagement with the work,and a predetermined holding orV clamping pressure' is then developed to hold the work during the entire time that the cutting stroke is being effected, and until the knife has withdrawn abovev the Work material on the return stroke. Thereafter the clamp is returnedto its raised position where it is locked and so retained until a subsequent operation.

These successive steps require application of different degrees of force, and this in turn necessitates the development of different pressure conditions in the hydraulic system, It is therefore a part of the present invention to provide for developing proper pressure conditions throughout the entire operation of the system and for making such pressure properly-available for the desired clamping operations while being at all times under proper control of the operator and properly correlated with the operation of the system. v

It is further important to provide for the development of a total clamping pressure when the clamp is in engagement with the work which will be sulciently high to meet the maximum requirements of the work. vWhile this can be accomplished with the provision of a piston of large area, lthe normal arrangement of such a system would involve either an excessive time delay in the filling ofsuch a large cylinder space, or alternatively, the use of a fluid pump and drive motor lof large capacity to fill such lspace with the necessary speed. If a motor and pump of small size only are utilized, then the normal rate of supply of fluid through the pump is so limited that a retarded travel of the clamp results and it is not feasible to have it move faster than the knife at the beginning of the work stroke, to

establish its clamping relation with the work material before the knife descend-s to the cutting position. On the other hand if the pump and motor are of suicient capacity to provide the rapid supply of pressure fluid which will permit the Adesired high rate of travel of the clamp toward its clamping position, thisY necessarily entails a substantially increased initial installation'of both pump and motor, as well as involving materially greater operating losses because of the presence o-f such large size units and the corresponding increased loss of power during operation.

It is vtherefore one of the important advantages of the present invention that the hydraulic system utilized is such as to provide for the rapid downward travel of the clamp at a rate sufficiently greater than the travel of the knife such that the clamp will reach its clamping position in advance of the knife, without however disturbing the work material when it comes in contact therewith, and be in such position that a proper clamping pressure will have been developed by the time the knife begins its cutting stroke. This is accomplished with the use of a large capacity cylinder and piston supplied at a rapid rate With fluid by a relatively small capacity motor and pump, which Athus entails onlylimit'ed initial cost and weight and which are correspondingly'eflicient in operation; Thereafter the clamp is raised'by application of full fluid pressure to aV piston surface which is relatively much smaller in area, providing for 'rapid filling and hence rapid raising of the 'clamp to its inoperative position where'it 'is locked in place,

In addition the same' hydraulic means provides for developing 'power for the actuation of the back gage, the operation 'of 'the' back gage being suitably correlated and' interlocked with the operation of the clamp andthe knife'so that'the two ,operations are mutually exclusive.' That is, when the back'gage is being' used, an "interlock is provided which prevents operation ofeither the Vclamp alone.' or the clamp and :the knife. Conversely; when the clampi is actuated either alone o'r in conjunction with the operation of the knife, the' back gage cannot be operated. The controlv provides for developing a full pressure condition in' the' fluid system when the back gage is in'operation and selective application'of'the pressure fluid is made by manual control to provide for both forward and backward movement of thelba'ck gage.

The iiuidsystem is shown schematically in Fig. 18 in which a reservoir chamberis indicated at 300 fromzwhich'a supply line 30| leads to a lter 302; and from there through line 303 to the' pump 304. The pump is suitably driven by an electric motor', preferably the same motor which drives the' knife'and which is shown at 94, the motor preferably being arranged to drive the pump continuously.

.A supply line 305' leads from the discharge side ofthe pump into a balanced pressurev relief valve This valve has .aipressure balanced piston the position `of which is :controlled in response to the pressure in `auxiliary' line 301 and provides for delivery of fluid to a discharge vline 3I'0 at a lpredetermined maximum pressure condition, the

excess flow' of fluid being discharged through return line 3l I which opens into a header SI2 flowing directly' back to' the reservoir chamber 300. As a specic example, valve 306 may be a Vickers valve known as Type C-lS'Z-B. Control of the pressure in line 301 andV hence of the maximum pressure at which the relief valve 306 will discharge is established with a limited flow through line 301, comprising only a small fraction of the total flow delivered through supply line 305. A pilot valve'SI i's included in the control line 301, the pilot valve having a rotatable valve spool which is ported as illustrated in Figs. 18, 19 and 20 to provide the following operations.

In the position of the pilot valve illustrated in Fig.' V18 it will be evident that a'free'passage is provided through 'line 301, the cross port 3H and return line' 3l3 which leads into header 3I2. When the pilot valve is so positioned, therefore, there"v is no pressure'in'line 397 and hence the pressure relief valve 306 will be set to relieve the iiow at a low or substantially no pressure, delivering the main flow directly into return line 3H so that the system in this conditi-on will merely circulate the huid without doing work, and hence with a minimum of load being imposed upon the pump. Y Y

Injth-e second or full pressure position, shown in Fig. 19,*thev passage through line 301 is blocked and thus a maximum pressure condition is established in that line andas ay result the Valve 305 will open the discharge passage through the re- .'13 turn line 3|| only whenthe pressure risesin excess of a maximum llimiting value. This 'isthe condition which is vestablished-to provideffor the lifting of the clampand'also Awhen the back gage motor is being operated, these being conditions in'whichfull orvmaxiinum pressure is desired.

The third or adjustable, pressure position of the pilot valve -is shown in Fig..20 in which position a iiuidpassage is established through line 331, port 3H! of the valve body which is .below and separate from port 3|"|,and' line 323 whichleads to-an adinstable pressure valve 322 the discharge of which is returned through line'323 to'header 3| 2. Valve 322 may conveniently be a Vickers type C-l'Zl-B and hasl a manual adjustment 3-25 accessible from the front of the machine .which-,can beset for a predetermined pressure condition intermediate zero pressure and the maximum pressure established in the system. Assuming for example that this manually adjustable valve is set for a pressure equal to half the maximum pressure, andwith the pilotvalve 3|5 inthis variable pressure positionya flow of a small portion of the iluid delivered by the pump 'takes placefthrough adjustable pressure valve `3212 and back to the reservoir, Aestablishing a pressure ofthe predetermined-desired value in line 301 which in turn effects the setting of the valve 306 to relieve at .Ya corresponding pressure. It is this adjustable pressure setting ofthe pilot valve which is established during the actual clamping operating in order to provide for developing a predetermined clamping pressure to. be eiective for the clamping of the Work.

Supply of pressure fluid takes .place through supply line 3|() to a directionalcontrol valve 330 which provides for proper applicationof the huid to control the operation of the clamp by control of .the supply of pressure vlluid to the clamp operating cylinder |65. Supply line 3||J deliversuid to a central chamber 332 of the valve from which it may ow to one of two supply pipes 334 or 335, depending upon the uncovering of a llow passage as the result of the movement of the valve stem 336. This'valve stem is under'control of the operator, and is normally biased by means of spring 338 in the downward direction as shown in Fig. 21 which is in the direction to establish a "flow through pipe 335 applying huid-to raise the clamp.

The stem carries two lands 340 and 34| which control respectively the supply of lluid to pipes 334-and 335. While land 34| -is preferablysubstantially cylindrical, land 358 has a tapered or cut-away portion 343 which provides fora throttling opening in the initial up-wardmovement of the valve stem to establish communication with pipe 334. Supply of fluid to the pipe 334 actsin the direction to cause the application of pressure theretoto establisha clamping pressure upon the work material. The biasing kof the valve stem 338 as above described, therefore, is inthe direction which provides for normally maintaining-the flow passage open through line 335, thus supplying fluid in the direction operating to raise the clamp.

Pipe 335 which supplies duid in the direction acting to cause a raising of the clamp contains an additional valve marked 350 which is identified as a line resistance valve. A detail showing v of Athis valve is contained in Fig. 22 from which it will be seen that the pipe 335 leads into an inner ,chamber 35| which is normally controlled by a check valve 352 spring urged by means of'spring 353A to ELA-seating position upon thevalve .354. A clean out plug 355 provides access tothe interior of the valve when. necessary. rThe valve 3.52 receivesinternallya central stem 356 whiehhasa tapered slot 351 therein, the stem being adjustably carried in the valve housing `andits .upper end being accessible so thatit can beraised 'or lowered Vrelative to .valve ,-352 to provide for :a greater or 'lesser free opening passage ithrough the'valve. I

`From this descriptionit willbe evidentthatow of ud to the rightgaslshown in Fig..22,;i.fe.,;in1the direction to effect vthe .raising of :the clamp, vwill merely lift the check valve .352 fromits seat354 and `allow substantially unimpeded ilow of the duid through `the valve and into auxiliary conduit 358 from which it is.supplieddirectlytozthe lower side of the piston head |56 withinthe-clamp operating cylinder |35. However .upon return ow of duid in the .reverse ldirection'asrequired when the clampis lowered, check valve '.352seats and thus closes the free passagethe onlyfpassa-ge then availablebeing'that providedzbythe-fexposed slotted-opening 35`|in thestem 35.6. Sincezthis is relatively small, adenite resistance .tothezowls provided and the return nowthereforetakesplace atza denite and predetermined rate :which will provide for the rapid though safe :downward travelof the clamptoward anddntoclamping engagement with the'work*v material. It will be;evident that such rate can be readilypredetermined by the proper setting 4of ,stem `v35.6 :togive a rate of descent of the clamp. as desired.. The nuidfreturns through pipe .335, communicatinglthevalve passages 360 in valve 433|) and "backthroughfreturn line362 to header 3 2.

As shown in Fig. I8, the area-on the upperslde o'f piston |66 is substantially greater than that on the lower side, a satisfactory conditionlnthis ease havingoeen found to be approximately'ten square inches as compared 4to one squareinch. While this provides for developing a hightcital pressure to be effective 'for Yholding the 'clamp in clamping relation with'the work, it alsofrequires a relatively high-rate of supply of'uidabove'ythe piston |66, in `order to provide jfor a desirably rapidrate of downward travelV of the clamp. If a pump and motor arejprovided of. sufficientcapacity to supply this flow at the necessary high rate through the normal flow passage, vit is evident that such pump .Will have to beef verysubstantial size, merely Yin order to supply ...this quantity of uid at. the desired.rate,. although atthat. time there y,is substantially no workibeing'doneby the fluid since the clamp is falling .by .rgravityand there is therefore no pressure in the system. f-In order to maintain `a small and Yhighly elcient pump and -motor system, While also providingfor the-.desired rapid travel ofthe clamp toits-:lower position, an auxiliary supply conduit isprovided as shown at 31S, sucheonduit yleadingdirectly from the reservoir chamber .300, andwithoutpassage through the pump-334 or control valvefmechanism :366, 330 heretofore described. `This conduit can be suiTici-ently largetohandle'whatever volume of flow is necessary, since 'the :fow :takes place in response to the lowering'oflthe internal pressure inthe fluid system Vbelow atmosphericjn response'to the falling ofthe: clamplunderfthe action of gravity. ,A check valve-312isgprovidedlmmediately ahead of the connection of ythispcunduit to pipe 334, the check'valve providing uninterrupted ilow .into line. 334 while preventingreturn dow therefrom during the ctime `that :a @pressure condition .is f developed in the cylinder.` Alsaras showna pressuregage 31-3 ,is preferahymmvtded for indicating the pressure existing in pipe 334 and hence the unit pressure effective upon the piston |66 during the clamping operation.

In operation, with the pump and motor functioning, and in advance of the manual control of the clamp, the directional valve 330 is biased in the downward direction shown in Figs. 18 and 21 to provide for continuing supply of fluid through pipe 335, line resistance valve 350 and into the space below piston 166 so that the clamp is normally urged toward its upper` or raised position. It will likewise be understood that during this time the pilot valve 315 is in its blocked or maximum pressure position and thusy full 4fluid pressure is available and made effective beneath the head of piston 166, acting in the direction to raise the clamp.

Upon the operation of the manual control to provide for movement of the clamp, valve stem 336 is'moved against the action of biasing spring 338 in a direction to establish a fluid flow path from supply 310 to pipe 334, a discharge passage meanwhile being established from line 335 to the discharge conduit 362. Fluid pressure being now withdrawn from the lower side of piston |66 and a path established for the return fiow of fluid therefrom, the clamp immediately begins to fall, at a rate which is determined by the setting of the line resistance valve 350, being the rate at which the fluid beneath the piston |65 can escape through slotted opening 351 of valve 350 to be returned to the reservoir. This Valve is suitably adjusted to provide for rapid descent of the clamp While at the same time preventing shock or the possibility of disturbing the work material When it is engaged by the clamp. Nevertheless this rate of fall is substantially greater than the rate at which fluid could be supplied through the pump to the large cylinder space above piston 166, and as a result this additional uid is drawn through auxiliary conduit 310, without placing any load upon the motor or pump. Downward travel of the clamp is at all times under manual control and can be stopped or reversed with speed and precision by proper manual operation of the control valve 330, the tapered land 343 providing for accuracy of control when the valve is merely cracked.

When the clamp is fully lowered, fluid is no longer drawn through conduit 310, but the cylinder space being lled with uid, a pressure is immediately built up in the cylinder space above the piston |66 as the result of the iiuid supplied from the discharge side of the pump. It will be evident that with the space above piston l66 already filled with uid, it requires only a limited additional supply to establish a high pressure condition, and the proper pressure is thus quickly established and maintained thus providing a smooth clamping action without attendant shock.

The same control operation which provided for the movement of the directional valve 330 to the upper position also effected the adjustment of the pilot valve 3 I 5 to its adjustable pressure position with the result that by the time the clamp reaches its lowered position the pilot valve has been set for a definite pressure condition, i. e., the pressure established by the manual control 325, so that this predetermined pressure is quickly established, after which the pressure relief valve 306 maintains that' predetermined pressure, returning all excess fluid to the header 312 and back to the reservoir chamber. The clamp is thus held in proper clamping position with a predetermined pressure Vbefore-the knife has traveled far enough to actually engage the work material, and such pressure is maintained throughout the cutting stroke. Y

At the end of the cutting stroke the directional control 330 is again operated to effect the raising of the clamp, the pilot valve 3I5 is restored to its blocked or full pressure position and pressure relief valve 308 is thus again caused to release at maximum pressure in the system. Fluid flows through line 335, through line resistance valve 350 lifting valve 352 from its seat, and flows into the relatively small pressure space below piston |66. Because this space is small a rapid filling thereof takes place causing the rapid lifting of the clamp, so that at the proper point in the cycle, substantially at the end of the stroke of the knife, the clamp is withdrawn from the work and raised to its upper or inoperative position.

In a practical embodiment it is found that with the approximate piston sizes referred to, and utilizing a maximum fluid pressure of about 1000 pounds per square inch, complete downward travel of the clamp is effected Within about 0.5 seconds, approximately the same length of time being required to cause the complete raising of the clamp. This is sufficiently short in relation to an operating cycl of the knife of about 1.5 seconds to provide for complete clamping engagement before the knife moves far enough to contact the work. A maximum clamping pressure can be developed Vof approximately 10,000 pounds, and the entire system is supplied from a pump having a capacity or rating of about 5.6 gallons per minute.

The same iiuid system is also utilized for the operation of the back gage motor, and for this purpose a line 380 leads from the discharge side of the pump to the center of the control valve 240 previously referred to. This valve contains a stem 24| secured to the Valve spool 382, the spool being normally centered in the valve body by means of the two springs 383, 384. Suitable lands 385, 386 control the supply of fluid from the central pressure chamber to one or the other of the supply lines 381, 388 which supply the fluid selectively to the back gage motor 220 to cause rotation thereof in one direction or the other. The return fluid is discharged through line 389 back through the header 3I2.

Preferably each of lands 385, 386 is relieved on the pressure side to 4provide for a throttling flow of fluid from the central pressure chamber to one or the other of the supply lines 381, 388 when the valve is moved slightly from its neutral position, thereby providing for a controlled slow power operation of the back gage in either direction under the control of the operator. Thus the valve provides a controlled range of speeds of operation of the back gage. Further the lands are also relieved on the opposite or discharge sides to allow some ow to take place from the back gage motor when the back gage is operated entirely manually from hand wheel 222, thus avoiding blocking the movement of the back gage. The controls are such that whenever the back gage motor is in use, the pilot valve 35 is positioned in the blocked or full pressure position which provides for developing up to the maximum pressure in the line 380 from the pump so that proper pressure will be available for the operation of the back' gage motor under the selective control of hand lever 243 as already described.-

17 Interlocking and pressure control system.

Mechanism is provided for proper-ly interlocking and correlating the various machine operations to provideV protection both for the operator and for the machine itself, and likewise to provide for the development of proper operating pressures in the hydraulic system for the various steps in the operation. Itis desirable to provide a. start button or control which is separate or spaced from the normal handle which controls the operation of the machine, thus preferably requiring the operator to use both` hands in order to initiate operation of the machine so that he will not accidentally allow his hands to-get in the path of the downwardly travelling knife or clamp.v

For this purpose astart button 40D. is mounted at a convenient position-beneaththe worktable 20 and preferably at the left-hand side. thereof asshown in Fig. l, in which position it 'is out of the normal path of handling of the work material; but inl such'position as to require a deiinitel manual operation separate from the Operation for startingV the machine and preferably requiring the other or'left-hand of the operator to be in a safe position. at the beginning. of a cycleof the' machine operation.

When the startV button. 400 is depressed, a controlcircuit': isiclosed1for the energization of a solencid'482 (Figs. 23, 25 and 30) which upon being. energized moves its armature 493 downwardlyas Ashown'in Fig; 23,A causngthecounterclockwise swinging movement of bell crank 424 which is pivotally supported at 405. Suchbell crank has engagement with a roller 406 carried on aniupper arm of a lever 401 which is attachedtotherotating spool 3I6 of pilot valve SI5. A torsion spring 403 normally tends to turn .the lever in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 23, thus normally maintaining the valve inthe idle or'zeropressure position as already referred to.

W hen so energized,- and in response to the rocking of the lever 427 to move pilot valve 3|5 from its idle position to Aits `second or full pressure position, itwill beevident from the foregoing description -of the hydraulic system that the pressure-now'is relieved only at the ,full or maximum pressure condition. Fluid isl therefore supplied throughthe balanced pressure relief valve 356 to the.l directional control valve 338 which is spring biased to the up position, thereby lproviding-.for the introduction of Viiuid at full pressurebeneath the-'headV of piston |66. Such uid introduction therefore immediately provides for the vlifting of the clamp against its upper stops.

A parallel circuit is'also established upon the Closing lof the start switch 420 forl energizing a latch lool; solenoid 4H] which uponv energization provides for the withdrawal .of .alatch lock pin 4t2 from in back of a latch member 4M having a hardened latcliing nose piece 4I5recevable in anotched-out portion 416 of the cross-bar H52r (Figs. 8, 23, 25 and 26). The latch 414 is pivotallymounted upon .a vertical shaft 4%8 and is normally urged into latching relation .in notch 455 'by means of a. torsion springstl 9.V This operation thus results in .the withdrawal of the latchllock pin concurrently with-the development of full operating pressure and .the application thereofY in the direction .toraise the clamp, thereb';7 relieving theflatch M4 of. any load of .clamp preparation forthemanual actuationof the machine -and the withdrawal of .the latch from latching position, Normally the solenoid has suii'icient force to withdraw the latch lock evenV in advance of` the full upward pressure application and thus there; need be no delay in the beginning of a working strokel and the machine is in condition to function almost immediately upon pressing the start button and moving the hand lever i|0.

As soon as the latch lock 4l2 isV raised under the action of the solenoidl Mil, a lever 420v (Fig. 23) is engaged'by the latch lock and is moved about its pivot 423| and causes the closing of a micro-switch 422. .This micro-switch establishes a parallel or holding circuit aroundthe start switch MiB-,andA thus as long as the latch lock pin remains in raised position, such holding circuit will be maintained. V

At this point the fluid system provides full operating pressure which isapplied tothe clamp piston in the direction to raise the clamp, and simultaneously the latch lock has been withdrawn in preparation for a stroke of operation. The operator however must have the start switch 4B!) closed at the beginning of a stroke of operation as otherwise this condition will Anot be established, and it will notbe possible to effect withdrawal of the latch.

In -order to start a stroke. of the machine, handle IIU is moved downwardly, after first being moved laterally to release the same from the interlocking parts IIB and III. Such `downward movement rocks shaft l H and causes the release of brake |05 and the engagement of clutch IDB, to thereby couple. the. drive power mechanically to the crank plateV 8l to cause the knife to move through a cutting stroke. AS1-previously described this stroke continues and at the end thereof the handle H0 is returned toits inoperative position under the operation of cam |28 and pin |23.,

In addition, therocking of shaftl lll eifects the lifting of an arm 423 (Fig. 25) fixed thereto through which slidably` extends a tension-rod 426 having a head 427 thereon. Suchsrocking movement therefore lifts againsty head 42-1 and raises the rod 426, the lower end ofwhichjis lconnected to one arm 430` ofl a-leverl pivotally supported on the frame at.43-`|; thereby rock-ing such lever in a counter-clockwise directionas'shown in Fig. 25.

In order to interlock the cutting operation with the movement of the back gage, a mechanism is provided which prevents operation of the back gage during a cutting stroke or during anyv operation of the clamp. For this purpose an interlocking rod 434 is pivotally securedto arm 43B as shown at 435. At its upper end itl carries a pin 435 pivotally connected Vthereto as vshovvnat 431 which is slidably received in a housing 438 through which the back gage' control rod` 248 extends. Asshown inFig. 28,` rod' 248A has a notched-out portion439. The parts are shown in the free position in Fig. 25 from :which `it Awill be evident .that Vwhen-the clamp and knife "are not operating. pin 43Y is withdrawn below the notch 439 `and thus movement of thebaok-'gagecontrol rod 248 is permitted as` desired in response to movement of hand lever 243. However when a cycle of thel machine is in progress, pin 436 is moved upwardly into the interference position shown in Fig. 28, in which position anymovement of controlrod 248` away from its'neu'tral position is prevented. Thus no operation of the'back gage is permitted at any time that either the clamp or knife is Viri'rnotion;7 and the converse situation is likewise true, namely, that the pin 436 cannot be moved upwardly except when the back gage control rod 243 is in the neutral position so that when the back gage is in motion, lany operation of the clamp or knife is positively prevented.

A second arm 446 of the lever 430 extends downwardly and has an abutment piece 441 which is adapted to engage the face of the latch 414 in such direction that the counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 436 will move the latch -away from its latching position in the notch 416 of the tie-rod 160. This is rendered relatively easy because of the fact that the Weight of the clamp is supported by the fluidppressure system and is withdrawn from the latch member itself which can thus be moved freely, the latch lock 4 I 2 having previously been withdrawn as already described.

When the latch member 414 is moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 26 the latch lock pin 412 will then be maintained in its raised position by engagement with the top face of latch 414 on which it rides as long as the latch is in its clearance or dotted line position and from this point on the operator does not need to continue to hold the start button 433 in closed position. VThus the maintaining of the latch pin 412 in raised position provides through the action of lever 420 for maintaining micro-switch 422 in closed position and thus the holding circuit around the start button is continued, without requiring further holding thereof by the operator.

The third arm 456 of lever 436 has a slot which receives a pin 451 carried by a rod 452 which extends from the front to the rear of the machine where it connects through pin 453 with a lever 454 pivotally mounted at 455. Such lever engages a roller 456 which is attached to an operating member 451 which has a tongue 458 adapted to engage a roller 459 carried on a lower arm of lever 461 of the pilot Valve 315 in opposite relation to roller 406. Operation of lever arm 450 therefore provides for rotation of the movable spool of the pilot valve 315 from the blocked or full pressure position to the adjustable pressure position illustrated in Fig. 20, providing for development of a fluid pressure in the hydraulic system as determined by the setting of the manual control 325.

Operating member 451 has a pin 466 at the end thereof which has contacting engagement with a member 462 secured to the stem 336 of the directional valve 330. Thus movement of operating member 451 to the left as viewed in Fig. 23 provides for transmitting a similar motion to the valve stem 336, shifting the directional valve from its normally biased up position to its down position. Fluid is then supplied in the manner already described to the upper side of piston 166,

the piston however moving downwardly at a rapid and controlled rate, in excess of the rate at which fluid is supplied through the pressure system. When however the clamp actually engages the work, fluid at a predetermined pressure is introduced into the cylinder to develop a proper clamping pressure upon the work.

Operating member 451 may move to the right as viewed in Fig. 23 and is connected to a slide bar 416 which is mounted for axial sliding movement in a Xed bracket'411, bar 410 carries a roller 412 at its end, such roller having an interlocking relationshiplwith cam 413 carried on the main shaft 82 which operates the crank plate 81. Cam 413 has a notched-out portion 414 (Fig. 23) into which the roller 412 extends when the system is in its normal or inoperative position. With the system functioning properly the operating member 451 and roller 412 move out of the way of the cam 413 at the beginning of the working stroke and remain in a clearance position with respect thereto during the entire stroke, and there is therefore normally no actual engagement between roller 412 and cam 413. This construction serves a useful purpose however when it becomes necessary to jog the knife, i. e., to interrupt its downward cutting motion part way through the stroke, an operation which is sometimes desired in the cutting of sheet material.` The jogging control of the knife is effected by the operation of hand lever 110, the raising of which causes the stopping of the knife as above described. In such jogging operation however it is desirable to keep the clamp in clamping relation with the work material. This'is accomplished with the present device. through Vthe engagement of the raised portion of the cam 413 with roller 412 which maintains member 451 substantially in its lefthand position wherefthe directional valve 336 is actuated to its down position to retain the clamp in clamping engagement and where the pilot valve 315 is in its variable pressure position such that the proper operating pressure is maintained upon the clamp. It will be evident therefore that there is'no change in the hydraulic system as the result of this jogging operation of the knife, and the clamp will be maintained in clamping engagement throughout the jogging movements, and until the stroke of the knife has been completed.

The clamp having been lowered and engaged with the work material with a predetermined pressure at the beginning of the working stroke, and in advance of the actual contact with the knife with the work material, that pressure is maintained until after the completion of the cutting stroke and until the knife has been returned to its raised position substantially at the end of its return stroke. When this occurs, the operating handle |10 is raised in the manner already described through the camming action of cam 128 and pin 123. When this occurs the lever 436 is restored to its normal position as illustrated in Fig. 25. This results in withdrawal of interlocking pin 436 from the notch 439 in the back gage control rod 248. It also results in withdrawal of the abutment 441 from the nose of the latch member 414 which is thus allowed to return toward its latching position under the action of its torsion spring 419. However the latch rides against the side of the tie bar and does not actually engage in the notch 416 until the clamp and hence the tie bar |66 have been fully restored to their normal raised positions; thus the latch lock 412 remains in its raised position, riding on the upper surface of the latch 414, and maintaining the holding circuit through microswitch 422.

Still further, the return of lever arm 456 causes the withdrawal of arm 454 from roller 456, and operating member 451 is then permitted to travel to the right as shown in Fig. 23 which travel occurs under the action of torsion spring 448 of the pilot valve 315 and biasing spring 338 of valve 330. Pilot valve 315 returns from its adjustable pressure position back toward its blocked or full pressure position, where it is held by reason of the engagement of roller 466 with arm 434 which remains lin actuated position. Simultaneously the stem 336 of the directional valve 330 moves under its own biasing spring 338 toward the right asfviewed in .Fig 23, changing the directionnof application of :fluid and supplying the sameinthe direction'to-cause the raising of theiclamp; i As a-result, the -uidYat-full pressure is supplied-fin the -direction to cause the raising of theclamp, with thel result that the clamp lifts rapidlyfat theend of the stroke, and when it reaches :its fully raised position, the latch member 4l4 moves into its original latching position in notch 4i6fof the tie bar. Simultaneously the latchA pinr4l2 drops behind the latch thus locking the latch-.in its` holding position, and simultaneously z opening the holding circuit through micro-switch 422. Upon opening fof this circuit solenoid i402 'is 1deenergized, and -a spring withdraws armature-403 allowing -the rotatabe spool of the pilot valve T315 to -be returned from the full 'pressure `to-thefzero pressure position, removing alliiuidload from the system.

It is also desirable to provide foroperationwof the clamp independently of theoperation'of--the knife,making possible -the lowering of fthefclamp into clamping-relation, and the raising -thereof iby continuous manual control. In some cases, particularly in `thehandling of relativelyrloosefor fluffy paper, itfis'high-ly desirable toprovideffor the careful lowering of the clamp into clamping relation inf advance of the knife operation, and With the clamp in full clamping position,` compressing the sheets and eliminating air pockets therein, to then -cause the cutting stroke of the knife Yto take place without intermediate pressure'release. For this purpose a foot treadle 480 is provided which extends along substantially -the entire face of the'machine immediately ad'jacent the floor level, such .treadle being pivotally mounted on shaft 48! .suitably supported in. bearings 482 supported on the base l0. A torsion spring 483 acts inthe direction to normallyurge the treadle Ainto raised or inoperative position, upward travel :of the treadle being 4limited .by a stop member 484.

A rod 485-is pivotallyconnected to the treadle atf486 Vby means of farm 481 secured vto shaft'f48i,

and is arranged'to be raised in response to :the

lowering of the treadle. The rod carriescollar 488 which is adapted to engage the vlower1side of lever arm 430 (Fig. 25), the rod travelling freely throughlanaperture in the lever which thus provides i for guiding the rod during-tits movement.

Fromthis. construction it will be understood that downward movement of the treadle will-be transmitted into a counter-clockwise motionr of lever 430 whichwill establish thesame resultsfin..

the .fluid .system as previously described; Itwill also be clear that suchmovement of-lever arm 43B rwill cause an upward 'travel of rod 425-but this rod will merely nmove freely-throughA arm 425 without effectinganyactuationof thelever f l I il, sothat the eknifewill vnot be placed operation. In all4 otherrespects, however, the-system will .function as zabove described, thercontrolof travel of theclamp being in direct .response to the Yextent fof .movement of treadle 480.

Thus with the treadle 480 in raised position, and. having pressed the start button.40,. the full operatingl pressure is developed and the directional control valve is set to supply fluidin the direction to raise the clamp, as previously describedsv Asithe treadle is lowered, the latch 4 I4: is withdrawn .andV the. directional valvefw is operated .in the direction tosupply fluid.' above piston 360;.' Simultaneously the'pilot .valve -3I5 moves toits intermediate oradjustablevpressure position .and thus the 'fclamp is .flowered-L and [a predetermined desired pressureestabli'shed'there@ upon. Accurate control ofthe'fclamomovement is possible-'ahy manipulation of 'the treadle 480, a-S slight" lifting thereof reversingv the directional valvexandsupplying operating pressure in the direction to." liftv the clamp while movement; of the-itreadle to af vcenter or neutral .position holds thefdirectional valve in'its neutral position where ysupplyiof ,'"iiui'd to b'oth" `sides 'of the piston is blocked:a.nd the clamp'ican'beheld stationary at any'intermediate. position. Immediately upon full rreleasefsof the treadle the directional valve returns.,;.toits-normally up position, full iiuid pressurefisapplied@to the-'lowerside of the piston .andfthef clampV moves-:rapidly to its fully Vraised positiony:in Yawllich the latchz'reengages, opening the,r` holdingzcircuit and i thereupon removing "all operating?pressureffrom the system. It will also be 'evident that during: any operation `of the clamp under thercontrol. ofthefoot treadle, the same interlocking.faction I.between the clamp andv the baclergauge is `provided Sby the cooperative -relationshipoflpin:436iand slot.439 as described Labiives` At-any point inthe cycle when it is desiredto effect `a\cutti1'1g'operation, it is only necessary l'to lower the handle H0, whereupon the complete clamping and cutting cycle will be completed in the-manneralready described.

Ii'iiforde'rv toV provide for development of full operatingA pressure in the system during the time that the back gauge-is operated, the closing of microeswitch- 283 establishes a parallel circuit for itheenergizationof solenoid 402, so that in responseto movement of hand lever '243 away from its neutral position, such solenoid 492 is energizedand lever 404 Ais actuated to adjust the pilot .valveffrom its'zeropressure position to its blockedor. full pressure position in which the system suppliesfull hydraulic pressure .for the operationof the back gauge motor in either direction. Upon return of the hand lever 243 to neutral, the .circuit is opened and solenoidl 492 is then vdeenergized allowing return -of the pilot valve tozero. pressure v position thus withdrawing any load .from thesystem.

The.. invention thereforev provides a highly satisfactory cutting. mechanism. in which the mechanical .operation of the cutting knife is pro- Vded. .through connections .which maintain the operating forces in .a vertical :plane and such as to developuniform cutting action with reduced wear. The hydraulicy systemis suchthat it does .improperor dangerous voperation is prevented thronghounf The entire mechanism is rapid and accurate, .as-well as `Vbeingsafe, andthus contributes substantially to the successful and eilicient :cutting: operation andthe performance of 2 afhigh lqualityzof work.`

While fthefform of-apparatus herein described constitutes a=1 preferred vvembodiment of the invention; it is'to'be understood 'that the invention Visnot llimit'edto this precise-form of apparatus, -andithat'fchanges may-be made therein without 

